Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1352. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on medications available under the long-term illness scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49057/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 conditions to be covered by the Scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.

Under the LTI Scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. While there are currently no plans to extend the list of conditions, it is important to remember that the LTI Scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.

People who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE.

In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. The HSE afford applicants the opportunity to furnish supporting documentation to determine whether undue hardship exists and to fully take account of all relevant circumstances that may benefit them in assessment. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.

The issue of granting medical card eligibility based on having a particular disability or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

Under the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.

There has been a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services over the last few years. This includes reductions in the DPS threshold, expansion of access to free GP care, and the abolition of all public in-patient hospital charges for children and adults. These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.

Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1353. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the availability of the Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system in Ireland; the current status of its approval and reimbursement process; and the timeframe for its expected roll out, in view of its availability in other European countries and the growing demand among Irish diabetes patients for access to advanced insulin delivery technologies. [49058/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter.

The HSE has advised that for a product to be considered for addition to the Reimbursement List, the company must submit a pricing and reimbursement application to the HSE under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. To date, an application has not been made for Omnipod® 5 by the company to the HSE.

The HSE is aware that the company have not yet launched the product to the Irish market. Omnipod® 5 is being rolled out world-wide on a phased basis due to constraints in manufacturing capacity versus demand.

The HSE have been in regular contact with the manufacturer of the Omnipod 5 and received an update in July 2025 from the company, Insulet. They have advised that they continue to release the Omnipod 5 but they have no firm date on when it will be released to the Irish market as yet.

There is no reimbursement support under Community Drug Schemes for Omnipod® 5 in advance of the formal processes and therefore no patient approvals are in place for this product.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1354. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of people who had surgery for breast cancer and the percentage of patients seen within NCCP target surgery timeframes, as outlined in the National Cancer Strategy, in each of the years 2017 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [49062/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1355. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of people who had surgery for lung cancer; the percentage of patients seen within NCCP target surgery timeframes, as outlined in the National Cancer Strategy, in in each of the years 2017 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [49063/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1356. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of people who had surgery for prostate cancer; the percentage of patients seen within NCCP target surgery timeframes, as outlined in the National Cancer Strategy, in each of the years 2017 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [49064/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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1357. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of people who had surgery for pancreatic cancer; the percentage of patients seen within NCCP target surgery timeframes, as outlined in the National Cancer Strategy, in each of the years 2017 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [49065/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.